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Jaroslav Halak’s Lack of Success with the New York Rangers

By Lucas Standel |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Rangers makes the third period save on Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2022 in New York City. The Blue Jackets defeated the Rangers 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Rangers makes the third period save on Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2022 in New York City. The Blue Jackets defeated the Rangers 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Rangers signed Jaroslav Halak to be Igor Shesterkin’s new backup after they traded Alexandar Georgiev to the Colorado Avalanche for three draft picks. Known as the “Ranger killer”, Halak was joining the team he has had much success against in his career. Many thought he would be a reliable backup, but so far, there has been very little to be happy about.

So far this season, Halak has started four games and has a record of 0-3-1. His goals against-average is 3.48 and his save percentage is a shocking .882. These were not the numbers fans were expecting out of Halak as he has been a very consistent goaltender throughout his seventeen-season career. His career goals against-average is 2.50 and his save percentage is .915.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 06: Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Rangers breaks his stick on the net after giving up the game-winning goal to Dominik Kubalik #81 of the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2022, in New York City. The Red Wings defeated the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 06: Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Rangers breaks his stick on the net after giving up the game-winning goal to Dominik Kubalik #81 of the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on November 06, 2022, in New York City. The Red Wings defeated the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

While his first three games were shaky, his last game against Detroit, an overtime loss was the best he looked so far this season. He made many key saves throughout the game. Saves on the power play, a breakaway from Dominik Kubalik and a massive save in the last minute of the third period kept the Rangers in the game. However, it was still enough to walk out with the win and two crucial points.

Halak’s poor play is not all on him. The team in front of him is not providing much help on the defensive side of the game. They are giving up many high-danger scoring chances and teams are capitalizing on those chances. The offensive side is not much better as the Rangers have  struggled to score goals five-on-five for the majority of the season.

If his career has shown anything, it proves that Halak can bounce back from his recent struggles and can be that reliable backup goaltender that the Rangers hoped he would be. If his struggles do continue, we could possibly see Louis Domingue get an opportunity as the backup. Hopefully, Halak can rebound and get his first win as a Ranger very soon.

Next. Rangers lose in OT to Detroit. dark

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